Ikeh John Bindel wrote: Madam Aketi, pls stay out of politics at least for now, mourn your dear husband and take care of your households for now. Make peace with all and trust in God.
This is a brotherly advice
Omoijuanfo Victor also said, This woman should realize that her husband’s phase in government has evaporated. Let her focus on her private life and leave Ondo state politics alone.
Seun Olawoyin wrote: Mrs. Aketi, a widow of a few months, is already fighting her husband’s family over her personal career. Your husband’s niece is entitled to her choice. You’re mourning while at the same time playing dirty politics.
What’s wrong with this woman. She should respect our tradition. You don’t talk to your husband niece anyhow. She should learn to respect her. Prince Abiodun Owolade.
Alakoso Shola Afolabi wrote: You can never intimidate anybody to hate anyone you hate madam Akeredolu. We live in a free world. Allow the woman to follow the candidate of her choice and you follow the candidate of your choice.
However, Funke Akeredolu Aruna, niece of late former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has reacted to Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s comment calling her shameless.
It will be recalled that Betty, widow of the late Governor, tackled her in-law, Funke, for supporting the governorship aspiration of incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“Behold the face of Aketi’s niece, Funke Akeredolu Aruna, the former deputy chief protocol to Aketi, shamelessly parades as ‘I am lucky’ Bloody serpent! Time will tell if she is truly lucky!” Betty Akeredolu had said.
In a recent chat, the late Governor’s niece revealed that she refused to join the opponents and enemies in chastising the incumbent governor over his political aspirations.
Her words: “Mummy (Akeredolu’s wife) is fighting and attacking me now because she has her reason and she is not supporting the incumbent governor.
“I just happened to be a victim of circumstances with whatever that is happening. I was the deputy chief of protocol in the last administration to my uncle (Akeredolu) and this present governor was like a family too to the Akeredolu family.”
Noting that the former Governor and Aiyedatiwa were very close before he died, Funke added that the late Governor took the incumbent like a brother who could easily be trusted.
“So, I also called this present governor an uncle because of that when the initial issue started, I meant when Lucky was the deputy governor, I didn’t support the cabal.
“It got to a time, they started saying I was dating him (Lucky). When I heard that I was dating him I was surprised. You know that type of white lies that you believed that is not possible and because of what was going on, I didn’t believe all that was being said about him.
“Now that he (Aiyedatiwa) is now the present governor I happened to be one of the assistant convener of Orimisan Lucky Women in the state, a supporting group for his reelection bid and this particular group is number in the state because we are all over the 18 LGAs.”
“So, we had a programme yesterday to chart a way forward and it was during this programme that they took my picture. It is just politics and I want to believe that it is the opposition that took that picture and started sending it around with blackmail.
“I think that’s where the late governor’s wife now got the picture and you know she was disappointed that I’m not in their camp and everybody knows I’m in Lucky’s camp. I have always been there when the whole shenanigans started especially when the politics was hot in the state. It’s not new to the family members that I’m Lucky.
“I won’t back out from Lucky’s camp. I cannot see where there is light and follow darkness. All these things that are flying around the incumbent governor are pure lies because as a Christian I cannot pitch my tent with lies. I have my integrity and I hold it in high spirits,” she added.
Meanwhile, Allen Sowore, a human rights activist, has tackled the widow of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Betty, for tagging her husband’s niece a “bloody serpent” in her post on her verified Instagram account.
Sowore alleged that the widow of the former governor was attacking the niece of her husband because she’s supporting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s ambition to remain in office beyond 2024.
He alleged that Betty is not in support of Aiyedatiwa to succeed her husband in office, claiming that she’s supporting one of the prominent governorship aspirants, Wales Akinterinwa.
According to a statement by Sowore, “On March 4, 2024, the widow of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON, Betty Akeredolu, triggered political unrest in the state by posting on her verified Instagram page, accusing her innocent niece, Mrs. Funke Haruna Akeredolu, of betrayal, labeling her as a “bloody serpent.” Betty questioned Funke’s loyalty to Aiyedatiwa, predicting that time would unveil the truth.
“Mrs. Funke’s primary transgression lies in her overt support for Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s bid to extend his term as governor beyond February 2024. Undoubtedly, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has been endorsing Wale Akinterinwa as the proclaimed anointed successor of the late governor. She is unrelenting in her attacks on those who diverge from her preferred choice.”
Sowore, a member of All Progressives Congress(APC), alleged the late Governor Akeredolu’s widow of being ungrateful to the state governor who gave her late husband a befitting state burial which gulped over N450 million state fund.
The statement reads: “Moreover, her attempt to tarnish the governor during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolence visit failed miserably.
“Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu overlooks the substantial state resources invested in her late husband’s health and the allocated over N450 million for the dignified state burial. Instead, she chooses to acknowledge the contributions of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“However, the President proceeded to express gratitude to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his efforts and the dignified state burial accorded to the late governor. This left her visibly disappointed!
“Contrary to traditional expectations of widowhood, Betty Akeredolu appears resolute in engaging in political battles, earning her adversaries among prominent figures such as the Minister of Interior, Olubumi Tunji Ojo, former deputy governor Agboola Ajayi, Timilehin Adelegbe (Member House of Representatives, representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency), Senator Ajayi Borrofice, and present deputy governor Olayide Adelami, among others.
“This upheaval is perceived as part of a broader strategy for Wale Akinterinwa and Betty to maintain control of the state until 2032, despite the setback caused by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s passing on December 26, 2023.
Betty’s unwavering pursuit of power and the preservation of her interests raise questions about her genuine mourning of her late husband. Even in her written tribute to her late husband, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu took jabs at her husband’s former aides.
“It is disheartening that the former First Lady wouldn’t allow her late husband a peaceful rest even in death but would instead immerse herself in the murky waters of politics to preserve her allegedly ill-gotten wealth.”